Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Introducing Sol Mi Matching in Kindergarten Through a Book

For years, I have used the book, "The Doorbell Rang" in Kindergarten. It is a very fun book about sharing and math as well. Every time the kids get ready to eat the cookies their mom made, the doorbell rings and they figure out how to share their cookies.

I have the kids just echo me singing ding dong in "sol mi", which can be turned into the actual sol me and hand signs after you learn those. For those who want more specifics, I use the notes c and a (an octave above middle c). I officially teach sol mi and hand signs in first grade.Once they get pretty good at singing "ding dong" on pitch as a solo, I bring out resonator bells and each student gets a turn to play them in sol mi order and to sing it with their voice. This is magical to them - to hear their voice match the instrument and to let it ring. If you want to integrate math, discuss how the students will divide the cookies. Here is a free set of manipulatives for you to print for your kids fto integrate math as well.

After every student gets a turn, I bring in a bag of some small cookies. The students love this and it is a great way to get them singing in a beautiful high voice on pitch. Click below to find the book. (I am an Amazon affiliate)

Read other ideas I use to help students sing in tune at this blog post.